Use of oxazole compounds to treat osteoporosis

ABSTRACT

An oxazole compound having the formula (I):    &lt;IMAGE&gt;  (I)  in which A is a group of the formula -CH2OR2 (wherein R2 is a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon residue, an optionally substituted heterocyclic group or an acyl group) or an aldehyde group, B is an optionally substituted phenyl group, R1 is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, and n is an integer of 0 to 6, provided that when n is 2, R1 is an optionally substituted alkyl group, or its salt, which is useful as a therapeutic agent for metabolic bone diseases including osteoporosis.

This application is a division of Ser. No. 07/646,011, filed Jan. 28, 1991, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to oxazole compounds. More particularly, it relates to oxazole compounds which possess activities for preventing bone loss and increasing bone mass, and thus useful as therapeutic agents for osteoporosis.

2. Prior Arts

Various compounds have been prepared to provide therapeutic agents for osteoporosis, which however leave problems to be improved on regarding both points of activity and side-effect.

4,5-Diaryloxazole-2-alkanoic acid derivatives which show antiinflammatory activity have been known (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,578,671 and Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 49(1974)-38268).

As the result of studies on 4-aryloxazole compounds, some of the present inventors found that 4-aryloxazole compounds having a substituent at the 2-position possessed activities for lowering blood sugar and improving glucose tolerance.

Our further earnest studies resulted in that 4-aryloxazole compounds having substituents at the 2- and 5-positions were prepared and found to possess activities for preventing bone loss as well as increasing bone mass.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention, provides an oxazole compound having the formula (I): ##STR2## in which A is a group of the formula --CH₂ OR² (wherein R² is a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon residue, an optionally substituted heterocyclic group or an acyl group) or an aldehyde group, B is an optionally substituted phenyl group, R¹ is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, and n is an integer of 0 to 6, provided that when n is 2, R¹ is an optionally substituted alkyl group, or its salt;

and a therapeutic agent for osteoporosis, which comprises an oxazole compound having the formula (I'): ##STR3## in which A' is a group of the formula --CH₂ OR² (R² is a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon residue, an optionally substituted heterocyclic group or an acyl group), an aldehyde group or an optionally esterified or amidated carboxyl group, and B is an optionally substituted phenyl group, R¹ is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, and n is an integer of 0 to 6, or its salt.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the above mentioned formulae (I) and (I'), examples of the substituents in the optionally substituted phenyl group of B are a halogen atom, nitro group, cyano group, an alkoxy group which may be substituted or an alkyl group which may be substituted. One to four, preferably one or two of these substituents which are the same or different may be substituted on the benzene ring. The halogen atom includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine, among which fluorine and chlorine are preferable.

Examples of the alkoxy groups in the alkoxy group which may be substituted, are straight or branched chain alkoxy groups preferably having 1-10 carbon atoms, such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, tert-butoxy, pentyloxy, hexyloxy, heptyloxy and nonyloxy.

Examples of the alkyl groups in the alkyl group which may be substituted, are straight or branched chain alkyl groups preferably having 1-10 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl or decyl, and cyclic alkyl groups preferably having 3-7 carbon atoms, such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl.

Examples of the substituents on the substituted alkyl or alkoxy groups are a halogen such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, hydroxy or a C₁₋₆ alkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, pentyloxy or hexyloxy. The number of the substituent is preferably one to three.

Specifically, the substituted alkoxy group may be trifluoromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy, 1,1-difluoroethoxy, 1,1-difluoropropoxy and 2,2,3,3-tetrafluorobutoxy.

Also, the substituted alkyl group may be trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, difluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, hydroxymethyl, 1-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, 1-methoxyethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, 2,2-dimethoxyethyl and 2,2-diethoxyethyl.

Examples of the alkyl groups in the optionally substituted alkyl group which is represented by R¹, are any one of straight, branched or cyclic chain alkyl groups preferably having 1-10 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl or decyl, or cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl.

Examples of the substituents on the optionally substituted alkyl groups of R¹ are a halogen such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, hydroxyl or a C₁₋₆ alkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, pentyloxy or hexyloxy. The number of the substituent is preferably one to three.

Specifically, the substituted alkyl group with respect to R¹ may be trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, difluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, hydroxymethyl, methoxymethyl, 1-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, methoxyethyl, ethoxyethyl, 1-methoxyethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, 2,2-dimethoxyethyl, 2,2-diethoxyethyl or the like.

The hydrocarbon residue in the optionally substituted hydrocarbon residue of R² includes alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl and aromatic groups. The alkyl group as mentioned here may be a straight, branched or cyclic chain alkyl having 1-10 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl or decyl, or cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl.

The aralkyl group may be a phenyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl such as benzyl, phenethyl or 3-phenylpropyl.

The alkenyl group may be preferably the one having 2-10 carbon atoms, such as allyl, vinyl, crotyl, 2-penten-1-yl, 3-penten-1-yl, 2-hexen-1-yl, 3-hexen-1-yl, 2-cyclopentenyl, 2-cyclohexenyl, 2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl or 3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl.

The aromatic group may be a C₆₋₁₄ aryl such as phenyl, naphthyl, anthryl or phenanthryl.

Examples of the heterocyclic groups in the optionally substituted heterocyclic group of R² include a 5-7 membered heterocycle containing one sulfur, nitrogen or oxygen atom; a 5 or 6 membered heterocycle containing two to four nitrogen atoms, and a. 5 or 6 membered heterocycle containing one or two nitrogen atoms and one sulfur or oxygen atom, which may be condensed with a 6 membered ring containing two or less nitrogen atom, a benzene ring or a 5 membered ring containing one sulfur atom. Specifically, the heterocyclic group may be 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidyl, benzopyranyl, 1,8-naphthyridyl 1,5-naphthyridyl, 1,6-naphthyridyl, 1,7-naphthyridyl, quinolyl, thieno[2,3-b]pyridyl, tetrazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, triazinyl, triazolyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, furyl, pyrrolidinyl, benzothienyl, indolyl, imidazolidinyl, piperidyl, piperidino, piperazinyl, morpholinyl or morpholino.

Examples of the acyl groups of R² are the hydrocarbon residue of R² combined with a carbonyl or sulfonyl group, such as a C₁₋₁₀ acyl formed from a C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, phenyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, anthryl or phenanthryl and a carbonyl or sulfonyl group.

The esterified carboxyl groups of A' are e.g., a group of the formula --COOR³ (R³ is an ester residue). Examples of the ester residues of R³ are the optionally substituted hydrocarbon residues or optionally substituted heterocyclic groups as mentioned with respect to R². These residues or groups may be substituted by one to three of a halogen, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy or the like.

Examples of the amidated carboxyl groups of A' are e.g., a group of the formula --CO--N(R⁴)(R⁵) in which R⁴ and R⁵ being, the same or different, are a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon residue or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group.

To the optionally substituted hydrocarbon residues or optionally substituted heterocyclic groups of R⁴ or R⁵ are applicable those mentioned with respect to R². These residues or groups may be substituted by one to three of a halogen, a C₁₋₄ alkoxy or the like.

Examples of substituents on the optionally substituted alkyl group mentioned as one group of the optionally substituted hydrocarbon residues with respect to R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are a halogen atom (e.g., fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine), hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, an amino group which may be substituted by a C₁₋₆ alkyl or a C₁₋₁₀ acyl (e.g., dimethylamino, diethylamino, dipropylamino, acetylamino, propionylamino or benzoylamino), a carbamoyl group which may be substituted by a C₁₋₆ alkyl (e.g., dimethylcarbamoyl, diethylcarbamoyl or dipropylcarbamoyl), a C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl group (e.g., methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl or propoxycarbonyl) or the heterocyclic group mentioned above.

Specifically, the substituted alkyl groups of R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ may be trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, difluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, 2-ethoxyethyl, 2,2-dimethoxyethyl, 2,2-diethoxyethyl, 2-pyridylmethyl, 3-pyridylmethyl, 4-pyridylmethyl, 2-(2-thienyl)ethyl, 3-(3-furyl)propyl, 2-morpholinoethyl, 3-pyrrolylbutyl, 2-piperidinoethyl, 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl, 2-(N-methyl-N-ethylamino)ethyl, 2-(N,N-diisopropylamino)ethyl, 5-(N,N-dimethylamino)pentyl, N,N-dimethylcarbamoylethyl, N,N-dimethylcarbamoylpentyl, ethoxycarbonylmethyl, isopropoxycarbonylethyl or tert-butoxycarbonylpropyl.

Examples of substituents on the optionally substituted aralkyl group mentioned as one group of the optionally substituted hydrocarbon residues of R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are a halogen atom (e.g., fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine), a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a halogenated C₁₋₆ alkyl group substituted by the above halogen (e.g., trifluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl or 2,2,2-trichloroethyl) or an amino group which may be substituted by a C₁₋₆ alkyl or a C₁₋₁₀ acyl (e.g., methylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, dibutylamino, propionylamino, acetylamino or benzoylamino).

Specifically, the substituted aralkyl group of R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ may be 4-chlorobenzyl, 3-(2-fluorophenyl)propyl, 3-methoxybenzyl, 3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl, 4-ethylbenzyl, 4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)butyl, 4-acetylaminobenzyl or 4-dimethylaminophenethyl.

Examples of substituents on the optionally substituted aromatic group mentioned as the optionally substituted hydrocarbon residues of R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are a halogen atom (e.g., fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine), a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a halogenated C₁₋₆ alkyl group substituted by the above mentioned halogen, hydroxy group, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, a C₁₋₁₀ acyl group, an amino group which may be substituted by a C₁₋₆ alkyl or a C₁₋₁₀ acyl (e.g., dimethylamino, diethylamino, dipropylamino, acetylamino, propionylamino or benzoylamino), a carbamoyl group which may be substituted by a C₁₋₆ alkyl (e.g., dimethylcarbamoyl, diethylcarbamoyl or dipropylcarbamoyl), a C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl group (e.g., methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl or propoxycarbonyl) or the above mentioned heterocyclic group.

Specifically, the substituted aromatic groups of R² , R³, R⁴ and R⁵ may be 4-chlorophenyl, 4-cyclohexylphenyl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl, 3-trifluoromethylphenyl, 4-hydroxyphenyl, 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl, 6-methoxy-2-naphthyl, 4-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl, 4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl, 4-propionylphenyl, 4-cyclohexanecarbonylphenyl, 4-dimethylaminophenyl, 4-benzoylaminophenyl, 4-diethoxycarbamoylphenyl or 4-tert-butoxycarbonylphenyl.

Examples of substituents on the optionally substituted heterocyclic group of R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are a halogen (e.g., fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine), a C₁₋₆ alkyl, a halogenated C₁₋₆ alkyl group substituted by the above mentioned halogen, a hydroxy group, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, a C₁₋₁₀ acyl group, an amino group which may be substituted by a C₁₋₆ alkyl or a C₁₋₁₀ acyl (e.g., dimethylamino, diethylamino, dipropylamino, acetylamino, propionylamino or benzoylamino), a carbamoyl group which may be substituted by a C₁₋₆ alkyl (e.g., dimethylcarbamoyl, diethylcarbamoyl, or dipropylcarbamoyl), a C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl (e.g., methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl or propoxycarbonyl) or the above mentioned heterocyclic group.

Specifically, the substituted heterocyclic group of R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ may be 5-chloro-2-pyridyl, 3-methoxy-2-pyridyl, 5-methyl-2-benzothiazolyl, 5-methyl-4-phenyl-2-thiazolyl, 3-phenyl-5-isoxazolyl, 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-oxazolyl, 3-phenyl-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl, 5-methyl-l,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl, 5-acetylamino-2-pyrimidyl, 3-methyl-2-thienyl, 4,5-dimethyl-2-furyl or 4-methyl-2-morpholinyl.

Preferred compounds (I) or (I') are those wherein n is 2 to 4 and R¹ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₄ alkyl group or n is 2 and R¹ is a C₁₋₄ alkyl group.

The object compounds of the invention can be prepared by any one of the following methods. Raw materials to be used in the methods can be prepared by known methods or analogous ones thereto. ##STR4##

In the formulas, R¹, B and n have the same meanings as defined above, R⁶ is a lower alkyl or aralkyl group and X is a leaving group. ##STR5##

In the formulas, the symbols have the same meanings as defined above. ##STR6##

In the formulas, the symbols have the same meanings as defined above. ##STR7##

In the formulas, the symbols have the same meanings as defined above. ##STR8##

In the formulas, the symbols have the same meanings as defined above. ##STR9##

In the formulas, the symbols have the same meanings as defined above. ##STR10##

In the formulas, the symbols have the same meanings as defined above. ##STR11##

In the formulas, the symbols have the same meanings as defined above. ##STR12##

In the formulas, B has the same meaning as defined above and R⁷ is a hydrocarbon residue. ##STR13##

In the formulas, the symbols have the same meanings as defined above. ##STR14##

In the above formulas, the symbols have the same meaning as defined above.

In the above formula, the hydrocarbon residues of R⁷ have the same meaning as illustrated with respect to the above R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵. The leaving group of X may be a halogen (e.g., chlorine, bromine or iodine) or sulfonyloxy (e.g., mesyloxy, tosyloxy or benzenesulfonyloxy). The lower alkyl groups of R⁶ may be methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl.

Details of each the methods are as follows.

Method A

The compound (II) or salt thereof is reacted with a dicarboxylic acid monoamide (III) to afford the compound (I-1) or salt thereof. The reaction can be conducted without solvent or in the presence of an inert solvent. Examples of the inert solvents are toluene, xylene, pyridine, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, N,N-dimethylformamide or dimethylsulfoxide.

The reaction temperature is about 30° to 200° C., preferably 60° to 150° C. and the reaction time is about 30 minutes to 10 hours. The compound (III) is used in about 1 to 10 moles, preferably about 1.5 to 4 moles, to one mole of the compound (II) or salt thereof.

Method B

Step 1

Firstly, the compound (IV) or salt thereof is acylated with a dicarboxylic acid monohalide (V) to afford the compound (VI) or salt thereof. The acylation can be conducted in accordance with a method known per se. For instance, it can be conducted in the presence of a base in an inert solvent. Examples of the inert solvents are chloroform, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, water or a mixture thereof. Examples of the bases are triethylamine, pyridine, N-methylmorpholine, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate. Such triethylamine or pyridine can serve as the solvent.

The reaction temperature is about -10° to +50° C. and the reaction time is about 10 minutes to 5 hours. The compound (V) or salt thereof is used in about 1 to 1.2 moles, to one mole of the compound (IV).

Step 2

The compound (VI) or salt thereof is subjected to a cyclization to convert into the compound (I-1) or salt thereof. The compound (I-1) or salt thereof is prepared by cyclizing the compound (VI) or salt thereof with a nitrogen-containing cyclizing agent, e.g., urea or ammonia [see J. Org. Chem., Vol 25, p.1151]. In case of using ammonia, it is preferably in the form of ammonium salt such as ammonium acetate in acetic acid. The reaction can be conducted in an inert solvent as described in Step 1. The nitrogen-containing clyclizing agent is used in about 0.5 to 10 moles, to one mole of the compound (VI) or salt thereof. The reaction temperature is about 10° to 150° C., and the reaction time is about 30 minutes to 6 hours.

Method C

Step 1

Firstly, the compound (VII) or salt thereof is acylated with a dicarboxylic acid monohalide (V) to afford the compound (VIII) or salt thereof. This method is carried out by the same manner as in Step 1 of Method B.

Step 2

The compound (VIII) or salt thereof is subjected to a dehydration ring closure reaction to convert into the compound (I-1) or salt thereof. The reaction can be conducted in the presence of a dehydrating agent such as phosphorus pentachloride, phosphorus oxychloride, phosphoric anhydride or the like in a solvent or without solvent. Examples of the solvents to be used for this reaction are benzene, toluene, xylene, chloroform, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran or the like. The dehydrating agent is used in about 1 to 10 equivalents, more preferably about 1 to 3 equivalents, to the compound (VIII). The reaction temperature is about 0° to 150° C., and the reaction time is about 10 minutes to 10 hours.

Method D

The compound (I-2) or salt thereof can be prepared by hydrolyzing the compound (I-1) or salt thereof which was prepared by Methods A and B. The hydrolysis can be conducted in the presence of an acid or base in an aqueous solvent, in accordance with the conventional methods.

Examples of the solvents usable include a mixture of water and an organic solvent, e.g., alcohols such as methanol or ethanol, ethers such as tetrahydrofuran or dioxane, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide or acetone.

Examples of the bases include potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, potassium tert-butoxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or lithium hydroxide. Examples of the acids are hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, acetic acid or hydrobromic acid. The acid or base is preferably used in an excess amount, about 1.2 to 6 equivalents of base or about 2 to 50 equivalents of acid to the compound (I-1) or salt thereof. Usually, the reaction temperature is about -20° C. to +150° C., preferably about -10° C. to +100° C. and the reaction time is about 10 minutes to 20 hours.

Method E

The compound (I-3) or salt thereof can be prepared by esterification of the compound (I-2) or salt thereof. The esterification can be conducted in accordance with a method known per se. For example, the compound (I-2) or salt thereof is directly reacted with an alcohol (R³ OH) in the presence of an acid or with R³ X in the presence of a base. Alternatively, a reactive derivative of the compound (I-2) e.g., the acid anhydride, acid halide (such as acid chloride or acid bromide), imidazolide or mixed anhydride (such as acid anhydride with methyl carbonate, ethyl carbonate or isobutyl carbonate) is reacted with the alcohol (R³ OH). The acids or bases as mentioned in Method D are applicable to the above reaction. The reaction can be conducted in a similar way to Method F mentioned below (a method for using acid halide). Furthermore, the compound (I-3) or salt thereof can be also prepared by reacting the compound (I-2) or salt thereof with a diazo compound (e.g., diazomethane or diphenyldiazomethane).

Method F

The compound (I-4) or salt thereof can be prepared by amidating the compound (I-1), (I-2) or (I-3), or salt thereof. The amidation can be conducted by reacting the compound (I-1) or (I-3) or salt thereof with an amine derivative (IX) or salt thereof in an inert solvent (e.g., ethanol, propanol, toluene, xylene, pyridine, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, N,N-dimethylformamide, or dimethyl sulfoxide) or in the absence of any solvent. The reaction temperature is about 20° to 200° C., and the reaction time is about 10 minutes to 10 hours. The amine derivative (IX) or salt thereof is preferably used in an excess amount, to the compound (I-1) or (I-3) or salt thereof. The reaction of the compound (I-2) or salt thereof with the amine derivative (IX) can be conducted by the methods known per se. For instance, there are a method for directly condensing the compound (I-2) or salt thereof and the amine derivative (IX) or salt thereof in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or the like, or a method for reacting a reactive derivative of the compound (I-2) or salt thereof (e.g., acid anhydride, acid halide such as acid chloride or acid bromide, imidazolide or mixed anhydride such as acid anhydride with methyl carbonate, ethyl carbonate or isobutyl carbonate), with the amine derivative (IX) or salt thereof. Among these methods, the most convenient one is to use an acid halide or mixed anhydride of the compound (I-2). In case of using the acid halide, the reaction is preferably conducted in a conventional solvent (e.g., chloroform, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran or water, or mixture thereof) in the presence of a base (e.g., triethylamine, N-methylmorpholine, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate). The amine derivative (IX) or salt thereof is used in about 1 to 1.2 moles, to one mole of the compound (I-2) or salt thereof. The reaction temperature is preferably -10° C. to +50° C., and the reaction time is about 30 minutes to 10 hours. In case of using the mixed anhydride, the compound (I-2) or salt thereof is reacted with a chlorocarbonate (e.g., methyl chlorocarbonate, ethyl chlorocarbonate or isobutyl chlorocarbonate) in the presence of a base (e.g., triethylamine, N-methylmorpholine, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate). The reaction is conducted in an inert solvent (e.g., chloroform, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, water or mixture thereof). The reaction temperature is preferably -50° C. to +30° C. The amine derivative (IX) is used in about 1 to 1.2 moles, to one mole of the compound (I-2).

Method G

The reduction can be conducted in accordance with the methods known per se, e.g., the reduction with a metal hydride compound, a metallic hydrogen complex, diborane or a substituted diborane, or a catalytic hydrogenation. (refer to "SHIN JIKKENKAGAKUKOZA (New Experimental Chemistry Handbook)" Vol.15 (II) (1976) edited by The Chemical Society of Japan and issued by Maruzen Publishing Co., Ltd. of Japan)

That is, the reaction is conducted by treating the compound (I-1), (I-2) or (I-3), or salt thereof with a reducing agent.

Suitable examples of the reducing agents are metallic hydrogen complexes such as alkali metal boron hydrides (e.g., sodium borohydride or lithium borohydride) or lithium aluminum hydride; metal hydride compounds such as sodium hydride; metals or metal salts such as organic tin compounds (e.g., triphenyltin hydride), nickel compounds or zinc compounds; catalytic reducing agents using transition metal (e.g., palladium, platinum or rhodium) catalysts and hydrogen, and diborane compounds.

The reduction is conducted in an organic solvent which does not impede it. Examples of the solvents are aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene or xylene; halogenated hydrocarbons such as chloroform, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane or 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane; ethers such as diethyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran or ethylene glycol monomethylether; alcohols such as methanol, ethanol or propanol; amides such as dimethylformamide, or mixture thereof, which are suitably selected in accordance with the kind of the reducing agent.

The reaction temperature is about 0° to 130° C., especially 10° to 100° C., and the reaction time is about 1 to 24 hours.

Method H

The oxidation can be conducted in accordance with the methods known per se, e.g., the oxidation with manganese dioxide, chromic acid (e.g., chromium oxide (VI)-pyridine) or dimethyl sulfoxide (refer to "SHIN JIKKENKAGAKU KOZA (New Experimental Chemistry Handbook)", Vol. 15 (I-1) and (I-2) (1976) edited by The Chemical Society of Japan and issued by Maruzen Publishing Co., Ltd. of Japan).

For instance, the oxidation with dimethyl sulfoxide is conducted in an inert solvent such as chloroform, dichloromethane, benzene or toluene in the coexistence of an electrophilic agent such as acetic anhydride, phosphoric anhydride, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or chlorine. Dimethyl sulfoxide is used in 1 to 5 equivalents, preferably 1 to 2 equivalents, to the compound (I-5). The electrophilic agent is used in an equivalent, to dimethyl sulfoxide. The reaction temperature is about -50° to +60° C., preferably about 0° to 40° C. The reaction time is about 0.5 to 50 hours, preferably about 1 to 20 hours.

Method I

The acylation can be conducted by the methods known per se, e.g., to react the compound (I-5) directly with the carboxylic acid derivative (R⁷ --COOH) in the presence of a condensing agent (e.g., dicyclohexylcarbodiimide) or to react the compound (I-5) with a reactive derivative of the carboxylic acid derivative (R⁷ --COOH) such as the acid anhydride, acid halide (e.g., acid chloride or acid bromide), imidazolide or mixed anhydride (e.g., acid anhydride with methyl carbonate, ethyl carbonate or isobutyl carbonate). The most convenient method is to use the acid halide or mixed anhydride of R⁷ --COOH.

In the case of the acid halide, the reaction is usually conducted in a solvent (e.g., chloroform, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, or water, or mixture thereof) in the presence of a base (e.g., triethylamine, N-methylmorpholine, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate). The reaction temperature is about -10° to +50° C. The carboxylic acid derivative (R⁷ --COOH) is used in 1 to 1.2 moles to one mole of the compound (I-5) or salt thereof.

In the case of the mixed anhydride, it is formed by reacting R⁷ --COOH with a chlorocarbonate (e.g., methyl chlorocarbonate, ethyl chlorocarbonate or isobutyl chlorocarbonate), in the presence of a base (e.g., triethylamine, N-methylmorpholine, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate). The reaction is conducted in an inert solvent (e.g., chloroform, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, water or mixture thereof). The reaction temperature is about -50° to +30° C., and the reaction time is about 0.5 to 50 hours. The carboxylic acid derivative (R⁷ --COOH) is used in about 1 to 1.2 moles, to one mole of the compound ( I-5).

Method J

In this method, the compound (I-5) or salt thereof is reacted with R² --X in the presence of a base (e.g., sodium hydride, potassium hydride, sodium amide, triethylamine, N-methylmorpholine, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate), thereby affording the compound (I-8). The reaction is conducted in an inert solvent (e.g., tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, ether, toluene, xylene, benzene, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, N,N-dimethylformamide or dimethyl sulfoxide). The reaction temperature is about -20° to 100° C., preferably -10° to 50° C., and the reaction time is about 0.5 to 20 hours. R² --X is used in an excess amount, to the compound (I-5) or salt thereof.

Method K

Step 1

The compound (X) or salt thereof is prepared by reacting the compound (I-5) or salt thereof with a halogenating agent or a sulfonylating agent. Suitable examples of the halogenating agents are thionyl chloride or phosphorus tribromide. The use of such halogenating agent can produce the compound (X), X being chlorine or bromine, or salt thereof. The halogenation is conducted in an inert solvent (e.g., benzene, toluene, xylene, chloroform or dichloromethane) or using an excess amount of the halogenating agent to serve as a solvent. The reaction temperature is about 10° to 80° C. The halogenating agent is used in about 1 to 20 moles, to one mole of the compound (I-5) or salt thereof. Suitable examples of the sulfonylating agents are mesyl chloride, tosyl chloride or benzenesulfonyl chloride, thereby affording the compound (X), X being mesyloxy, tosyloxy or benzensulfonyoxy, respectively, or salt thereof. The sulfonylation is conducted in an inert solvent (e.g., benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylether, ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform or dichloromethane), preferably in the presence of a base (e.g., triethylamine, N-methyl-morpholine, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate). The reaction temperature is about 0° to 130° C., preferably 10° to 100° C. The reaction time is about 10 minutes to 5 hours. Each of the sulfonylating agent and the base is used in about 1 to 1.2 moles, to one mole of the compound (I-5) or salt thereof. The compound (X), X being iodine, or salt thereof can be prepared by reacting one mole of the compound (X), X being chlorine, bromine or sulfonyloxy, or salt thereof as thus obtained, with 1 to 3 moles of sodium iodide or potassium iodide. For this reaction, such solvent as acetone, methylethyl ketone, ether, tetrahydrofuran or dioxane is usable. The reaction temperature is about 20° to 80° C.

Step 2

Subsequently, the compound (X) or salt thereof is reacted with an alcohol (R² --OH) to prepare the compound (I-8) or salt thereof. The reaction is usually conducted in an inert solvent (e.g., ether, chloroform, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane or N,N-dimethylformamide) in the presence of a base (e.g., triethylamine, N-methylmorpholine, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate). The reaction temperature is about 0° to 100° C., and the reaction time is about 5 minutes to 10 hours. The alcohol (R² --OH) is used in about 1-3 moles, to one mole of the compound (X) or salt thereof.

The salts of the compounds to be employed in the above mentioned Methods A-K are similar ones to the salts of the compounds (I) and (I').

The compounds or their salts thus obtained can be isolated and purified, e.g., by a conventional method such as filtration, concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, extraction with solvent, redistribution, change of basicity, crystallization, recrystallization, distillation, sublimation, salting out or chromatography.

When the compound (I) or (I') obtained by the above-mentioned Methods has an acidic functional group (e.g., free carboxyl group), its salt with a pharmaceutically acceptable base may be formed in accordance with the conventional method. Examples of such salts are the sodium, potassium, aluminum and calcium salts. When the compound (I) or (I') has a basic functional group, its salt with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid may be formed in accordance with the conventional method. Examples of such salts are the hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, acetic acid and fumaric acid salts.

As for toxicity of the compounds (I) and (I'), and salt thereof, no death was observed on the compounds prepared e.g., by Examples 81 and 83 when orally administered in 300 mg/kg to mouse.

The compounds (I) and (I') and salts thereof possess activities for preventing bone loss as well as increasing bone mass in mammals (e.g., mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, cat, cow, pig and human being) and their toxicity is very low. Thus, they can be used as a therapeutic agent for osteoporosis of mammals (e.g., mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, cat, cow, pig and human being).

The compounds of the invention can be administered to human beings through any of oral or parental route.

Compositions for oral administration may be solid or liquid forms, specifically tablets (including sugar coated tablets and film coated tablets), pills, granules, powders, capsules (including soft capsules), syrups, emulsions and suspensions. Such compositions will contain conventional carriers or excipients and can be prepared by known methods. Examples of carriers or excipients for tablets are lactose, starch, sucrose and magnesium stearate.

Compositions for parental administration are e.g., injections and suppositories, the former of which includes subcutaneous, intracutaneous, intramuscular or like injections. Such injections can be prepared by suspending or emulsifying the compound (I) or (I'), or salt thereof in or with sterile aqueous or oily liquids which are usually employed in injections, in accordance with the methods known in the art. Examples of the aqueous liquids for injections are physiological saline and isotonic solution, which may be used together with a suitable suspending agent such as sodium carboxy methylcellulose or a nonionic surfactant upon circumstances. Examples of the oily liquids are sesame oil and soybean oil, which may be used together with a solubilizing agent such as benzyl benzoate or benzyl alcohol. The injections thus prepared are usually put into ampules.

The oral dosage of the compounds (I) or (I'), or salts thereof when used as therapeutic agent for osteoporosis is 1 to 500 mg/day/adult, preferably 10 to 150 mg.

The invention is further illustrated by examples, test examples and preparation examples, by which no limitation shall be given.

TEST EXAMPLE 1 Activity for Preventing Bone Loss

The activity for preventing bone loss was tested by using an ovariectomy-operated rat which is generally used as a typical experimental animal for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Ovariectomy was performed on a female Spraque-Dawley rat (10 week old). From the next day after the operation, 20 mg/kg of a specimen of the compound obtained in Example 81 (suspended in aqueous solution of 1% of hydroxypropyl cellulose) was given to the rat 3 times a week for 3 weeks by forced oral administration. The next day after the final administration, the right femur of the rat was extirpated and cut to give 1/3 of the femur from the distal end. This portion of the femur was dried at 110° C. for 3 hours, then weighed, and further incinerated at 500° C. for 3 hours and subsequently at 800° C. for 2 hours, then weighed.

The result of the test is shown in Table 1.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                                      No. of     Dry         Ashes                                      Group        tested rats                                                                               weight (mg) (mg)                                       ______________________________________                                         Sham operation                                                                              6          138.2       89.0                                       (Control)               ±3.4*    ±2.3*                                   Ovariectomy  5          120.0       74.9                                       (Control)               ±3.2     ±2.2                                    (Compound No. 81                                                                            5          132.9       83.7                                       Treatment group)        ±2.9*    ±1.7*                                   ______________________________________                                          *p < 0.05 (significant difference relative to the average ovariectomy          contols) (Student's ttest)                                               

As can be obviously understood from the Table 1, both the dried and incinerated states of the femur decreased in weight due to the ovariectomy, however, the decrease was significantly inhibited by the compound of the present invention.

TEST EXAMPLE 2 Activities for Increasing Bone Mass

20 mg/kg/day or 100 mg/kg/day of a specimen of the compound obtained in Example 81 (suspended in aqueous solution of 1% of hydroxypropyl cellulose) was given to a normal male Sprague-Dawley rat 5 week old, 3 times a week for 3 weeks by forced oral administration. The next day after the final administration, the right femur of the rat was extirpated and cut to give 1/3 of the femur from the distal end. This portion of the femur was treated by the same manner as in Test Example 1, weighing both the dried and incinerated states of the femur.

The result of the test is shown in Table 2.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                                      No. of     Dry         Ashes                                      Group        tested rats                                                                               weight (mg) (mg)                                       ______________________________________                                         Normal       6          111.1       64.3                                       (Control)               ±3.5     ±2.0                                    Compound No. 81                                                                             6          117.0       68.5                                       Treatment group         ±3.7     ±2.1                                    (20 mg/kg/day)                                                                 Compound No. 81                                                                             6          120.2       69.4                                       Treatment group         ±1.5*    ±1.1*                                   (100 mg/kg/day)                                                                ______________________________________                                          *p < 0.05 (significant difference relative to the average normal contols)      (Students' ttest)                                                        

As can be obviously understood from the Table 2, both the dried and incinerated states of the femur increased in weight due to the compound of the present invention in an amount of 20 mg/Kg/day, and the states further increased significantly by the compound of the present invention in an amount of 100 mg/Kg/day.

EXAMPLE 1

A mixture of 3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenacyl bromide (3.1 g) and ethyl succinamate (5.4 g) was heated for 2 hours at 130° C. The reaction mixture was poured into water. The precipitated crystals were collected by filtration to obtain ethyl 4-(3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenyl)-2-oxazolepropionate (1.7 g, 47%). Recrystallization from hexane gave colorless prism crystals of mp 70°-71° C.

Elemental analysis for C₁₆ H₁₃ NO₃ F₆ Calcd. (%): C, 50.40; H, 3.44; N, 3.67; Found (%): C, 50.62; H, 3.40; N, 3.70.

EXAMPLES 2-18

By the method of Example 1, the compounds listed in Table 3 were obtained.

EXAMPLE 19

To a solution of 4-chloro-α-hydroxyacetophenone (4.84 g) in pyridine (50 ml) was added ethyl succinyl chloride (4.8 ml) at room temperature, followed by stirring for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was washed successively with 6N-HCl and water, and dried over MgSO₄. After distilling off the solvent, the oily residue was subjected to a silica gel column chromatography. Crystals (7.85 g, 93%) of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxoethyl ethyl succinate were obtained from the fraction eluted with ethyl acetate-hexane (1:2, V/V). Recrystallization from ether-hexane gave colorless needle crystals of mp 50°-51° C.

Elemental analysis for C₁₄ H₁₅ O₅ Cl Calcd.: C, 56.29; H, 5.06; Found: C, 56.55; H, 5.08.

A mixture of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxoethyl ethyl succinate (7.6 g), ammonium acetate (9.8 g) and acetic acid (80 ml) was stirred for an hour at 110° C. and refluxed for 2 hours. The solvent was distilled off. The residue was diluted with water, made basic by addition of aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and then extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was washed with water, and dried over MgSO₄. After removal of the solvent, the oily residue was subjected to a silica gel column chromatography. Crystals of ethyl 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolepropionate (2.23 g, 31%) were obtained from the fraction eluted with ethyl acetate-hexane (1:3, V/V). Recrystallization from ethyl acetate-hexane gave colorless plate crystals of mp 65°-66° C.

Elemental analysis for C₁₄ H₁₄ NO₃ Cl Calcd. (%): C, 60.11; H, 5.04; N, 5.01; Found (%): C, 59.96; H, 5.07; N, 5.01.

EXAMPLES 20 TO 28

By the same manner as in Example 19, compounds listed in Table 4 were obtained.

EXAMPLE 29

A mixture of 1-amino-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-propanone hydrochloride (1.0 g), ethyl malonyl chloride (0.75 g) and benzene (20 ml) was refluxed for 2.5 hours. After distilling off the solvent, water was added to the residue. The mixture was made neutral by the addition of saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. The resultant solution was extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), and distilled to remove the solvent, thereby giving crystals (1.29 g, 95%) of ethyl N-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxopropyl]malonamate as oil.

NMR (δppm, CDCl₃): 1.27(3H, t, J=7.5 Hz), 2.11(3H, s), 3.20(2H, s), 4.20(2H, q, J=7.5 Hz), 5.5 (1H, d, J=6.0 Hz), 7.15-7.6(4H, m), 8.29(1H, broad d).

Thus obtained compound (1.29 g) was dissolved in toluene (10 ml), to which phosphorus oxychloride (0.39 mg) was added. The mixture was refluxed for 40 minutes. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure. The residue was diluted with water, made neutral by addition of saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and then extracted with ethyl ether. The ether layer was washed with water, dried over MgSO₄ and distilled to remove the solvent. The oily residue was subjected to a silica gel column chromatography. Oily ethyl 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-oxazoleacetate (0.8 g, 66%) was obtained from the fraction eluted with ethyl acetate-hexane (1:5, v/v).

NMR (δppm, CDCl₃): 1.27(3H, t, J=7.5 Hz), 2.49(3H, s), 3.81(2H, s), 4.22(2H, q, J=7.5 Hz), 7.35 (2H, d, J=9.0 Hz), 7.57 (2H, d, J=9.0 Hz).

EXAMPLES 30-32

By the same manner as in Example 29, the compounds listed in Table 5 were obtained.

EXAMPLE 33

10% NaOH (10 ml) was added to a solution of ethyl 4-(3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenyl)-2-oxazolepropionate (1.6 g) in methanol (20 ml). After stirring for 10 minutes at room temperature, the mixture was poured into water. The resultant was extracted with ethyl ether. The aqueous layer was made acidic with 2N-HCl and the precipitated crystals of 4-(3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenyl)-2-oxazolepropionic acid (1.3 g, 87%) were collected by filtration. Recrytallization from ether-hexane gave colorless prism crystals of mp 130°-131° C.

Elemental analysis for C₁₄ H₉ NO₃ F₆ Calc. (%): C, 47.61; H, 2.57; N, 3.97; Found (%): C, 47.38; H, 2.53; N, 3.97.

EXAMPLES 34-62

By the method of Example 33, the compounds listed in Table 6 were obtained.

EXAMPLE 63

To a mixture of 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolepropionic acid (0.5 g) and isopropanol (30 ml) was added conc. sulfuric acid (0.3 ml), and the resultant was refluxed for 5 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with ether. The ether layer was washed succesively with a saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate aqueous solution and water, and dried over MgSO₄. The ether was distilled off to give crystals of isopropyl 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolepropionate (530 mg, 91%). Recrystallization from hexane gave colorless prism crystals of mp 30°-31° C.

Elemental analysis for C₁₅ H₁₆ NO₃ Cl Calc. (%): C, 61.33; H, 5.49; N, 4.77; Found (%): C, 61.18; H, 5.49; N, 4.77.

EXAMPLE 64

A mixture of 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazoleproprionic acid (0.5 g), benzyl bromide (0.25 ml), potassium carbonate (0.33 g) and dimethylformamide (DMF)(10 ml) was stirred for 3 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was poured into water to obtain crystals of benzyl 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolepropionate (0.664 g, 98%). Recrystallization from ether-hexane gave colorless prism crystals of mp 66°-67° C.

Elemental analysis for C₁₉ H₁₆ NO₃ Cl Calc. (%): C, 66.77; H, 4.72; N, 4.10; Found (%): C, 66.91; H, 4,69; N, 4.02.

EXAMPLES 65-72

By the method of Example 64, the compounds listed in Table 7 were obtained.

EXAMPLE 73

To a solution of 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolepropionic acid (0.7 g) in tetrahydrofuran (THF)(20 ml), were added oxalyl chloride (0.27 ml) and DMF (one drop) at 0° C. After stirring for 2 hours at room temperature, the solvent was distilled off. The oily residue was dissolved in THF (10 ml), to which 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl alcohol (1.1 g) and triethylamine (1.2 ml) were added in that order. After stirring for 4 hours at room temperature, the mixture was poured into water and then extracted with ether. The ether layer was washed with water and dried over MgSO₄. After distilling off the solvent, the oily residue was subjected to a silica gel column chromatography. Crystals of 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolepropionate (0.743 g, 62%) were obtained from the fraction eluted with ethyl acetate-hexane. Recrystallization from dichloromethane-hexane gave colorless prism crystals of mp 86°-87° C.

Elemental analysis for C₂₂ H₂₂ NO₆ Cl Calc. (%): C, 61.19; H, 5.13; N, 3.24; Found (%): C, 61.29; H, 5.12; N, 3.33.

EXAMPLES 74-76

By the method of Example 73, the compounds listed in Table 8 were obtained.

EXAMPLE 77

To a solution of 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolepropionic acid (0.5 g) in dichloromethane (20 ml) was added diphenyldiazomethane (0.425 g). After stirring for 4 hours at room temperature, acetic acid (0.5 ml) was added to the mixture. The reaction mixture was washed with a saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate aqueous solution and water, and then dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was distilled off and then the oily residue was subjected to a silica gel column chromatography. Crystals of diphenylmethyl 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolepropionate (0.759 g, 91%) were obtained from the fraction eluted with ether-hexane (1:3, V/V). Recrystallization from ether-hexane gave colorless prism crystals of mp 94°-95° C.

Elemental analysis for C₂₅ H₂₀ NO₃ Cl Calc. (%): C, 71.85; H, 4.82; N, 3.35; Found (%): C, 71.83; H, 4.79; N, 3.38.

EXAMPLE 78

To a solution of 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolepropionic acid (0.5 g) in acetonitrile (20 ml) were added 2-phenyl-2-propanol (0.325 g), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (0.49 g) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.025 g), followed by stirring for 65 hours at room temperature. 2-Phenyl-2-propanol (0.325 g), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (0.49 g) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.025 g) were further added to the reaction mixture, followed by stirring for 2 hours at 50° C. The reaction mixture was filtered to remove an insoluble substance, and the filtrate was then concentrated. The oily residue was subjected to a silica gel column chromatography. Crystals of 1-methyl-1-phenylethyl 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolepropionate (0.297 g, 38%) were obtained from the fraction eluted with ethyl acetate-hexane (1:4, V/V). Recrystallization from hexane gave colorless prism crystals of mp 94°-95° C.

Elemental analysis for C₂₁ H₂₀ NO₃ Cl Calc. (%): C, 68.20; H, 5.45; N, 3.79; Found (%): C, 68.04; H, 5.47; N, 3.82.

EXAMPLE 79

To a solution of 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolepropionic acid (0.4 g) in THF (20 ml) were added triethylamine (0.33 ml) and ethyl chlorocarbonate (0.23 ml) at -30° C., followed by stirring for 30 minutes at the same temperature. The mixture was poured into 30% methylamine aqueous solution (10 ml), and the resultant was stirred for 15 minutes at room temperature. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was washed with water, dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was distilled off to give crystals of N-methyl-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolepropionamide (0.375 g, 89%). Recrystallization from dichloromethane-ethanol gave colorless prism crystals of mp 169°-170° C.

Elemental analysis for C₁₃ H₁₃ N₂ O₂ Cl Calc. (%): C, 58.99; H, 4.95; N, 10.58; Found (%): C, 58.73; H, 4.84; N, 10.46.

EXAMPLE 80

By the method of Example 79, crystals of N-benzyl-N-methyl-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolepropionamide (yield: 71%) were obtained. Recrystallization from dichloromethane-ethanol gave colorless prism crystals of mp 99°-100° C.

Elemental analysis for C₂₀ H₁₉ N₂ O₂ Cl Calc. (%): C, 67.70; H, 5.40; N, 7.89; Found (%): C, 67.82; H, 5.38; N, 7.84.

EXAMPLE 81

To a solution of 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazoleproponic acid (1.5 g) in THF (20 ml) was added lithium aluminum hydride (0.27 g), followed by stirring for 3 hours at room temperature. Water (3 ml) was added to the reaction mixture. The resultant was extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was washed with 2N-HCl and water, dried over MgSO₄, and distilled to remove the solvent. The oily residue was subjected to a silica gel chromatography. Crystals of 3-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolyl]propanol (1.11 g, 78%) were obtained from the fraction eluted with ethyl acetate-hexane (2:1, V/V). Recrystallization from ether-hexane gave colorless prism crystals of mp 43°-44° C.

Elemental analysis for C₁₂ H₁₂ NO₂ Cl Calc. (%): C, 60.64: H, 5.09: N, 5.89; Found (%): C, 60.44; H, 5.06; N, 5.82.

EXAMPLES 82-85

By the method of Example 81, the compounds listed in Table 9 were obtained.

EXAMPLE 86

To a solution of ethyl 4-phenyl-2-oxazolepropionate (1.4 g) in THF (20 ml) was added sodium borohydride (0.86 g). Methanol (4 ml) was dropwise added to the mixture over a period of 10 minutes under reflux. The reaction mixture was refluxed for further 30 minutes, concentrated, made acidic and then extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was washed with water, dried over MgSO₄ and distilled to obtain crystals of 3-(4-phenyl-2-oxazolyl)propanol (1.07 g, 92%). Recrystallization from ether-hexane gave colorless prism crystals of mp 55°-56° C.

Elemental analysis for C₁₂ H₁₃ NO₂ Calc. (%): C, 70.92; H, 6.45; N, 6.89; Found (%): C, 70.65; H, 6.35; N, 6.67.

EXAMPLES 87-88

By the same manner as in Example 86, the compounds listed in Table 10 were obtained.

EXAMPLE 89

To a solution of 3-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolyl]propanol (1.0 g) in dichloromethane (10 ml) were added dimethylsulfoxide (0.6 ml) and phosphoric anhydride (1.1 g) in that order. After stirring for 10 minutes at room temperature, the resultant was cooled to 0° C., to which triethylamine (2 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred for 40 minutes at room temperature, poured into 2N-HCl and extracted with dichloromethane. The dichloromethane layer was washed with water, dried over MgSO₄ and distilled to remove the solvent. The oily residue was subjected to a silica gel column chromatography. Crystals of 3-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolyl]propanal (0.698 g, 70%) were obtained from the fraction eluted with ethyl acetate-hexane (1:3, V/V). Recrystallization from hexane gave colorless prism crystals of mp 41°-42° C.

Elemental analysis for C₁₂ H₁₀ NO₂ Cl Calc. (%): C, 61.16; H, 4.28; N, 5.94; Found (%): C, 61.10; H, 4.21; N, 5.91.

EXAMPLE 90

To a solution 3-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolyl]propanol (0.5 g) in pyridine (5 ml) was added acetic anhydride (1.0 ml), followed by stirring for 30 minutes at 50° to 60° C. The reaction mixture was poured into water. The precipitated crystals were collected by filtration to obtain 3-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolyl]propyl acetate (0.535 g, 91%). Recrystallization from ether-hexane gave colorless prism crystals of mp 37°-37.5° C.

Elemental analysis for C₁₄ H₁₄ NO₃ Cl Calc. (%): C, 60.11; H, 5.04; N, 5.01; Found (%): C, 60.12; H, 5.06; N, 5.18.

EXAMPLE 91

To a solution of 3-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolyl]-propanol (0.5 g) in pyridine (2 ml) was added benzoyl chloride (0.29 ml), followed by stirring for an hour at room temperature. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was washed succesively with an aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, 2N-HCl and water, dried over MgSO₄ and distilled to remove the solvent. The precipitated crystals were collected by filtration to give 3-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolyl]propyl benzoate (0.687 g, 96%). Recrystallization from ether-hexane gave colorless prism crystals of mp 47°-47.5° C.

Elemental analysis for C₁₄ H₁₄ NO₃ Cl Calc. (%): C, 66.77; H, 4.72; N, 4.10; Found (%): C, 66.72; H, 4.70; N, 3.98.

EXAMPLE 92

To a solution of 3-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolyl]-propanol (0.6 g) in DMF (10 ml) were added 60% (W/W) sodium hydride in oil (0.12 g) and benzyl bromide 0.3 ml), followed by stirring for 3 hours at room temperature. After additional stirring for an hour at 30° C., the reaction mixture was poured into water and then extracted with ether. The ether layer was washed with water, dried over MgSO₄ and distilled to remove the solvent. The oily residue was subjected to a silica gel column chromatography. Oily 3-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolyl]propyl benzyl ether (0.512 g, 2%) was obtained from the fraction eluted with ether-hexane (1:4, V/V).

NMR (δppm, CDCl₃): 1.9-2.3(2H, m), 2.93(2H, t, J=7.5 Hz), 3.57(2H, t, J=6.5 Hz), 4.52(2H, s), 7.35(5H, s), 7.37(2H, d, J=9 Hz), 7.67(2H, d, J=9 Hz), 7.80(1H, s).

Elemental analysis for C₁₉ H₁₈ NO₂ Cl Calc. (%): C, 69.62; H, 5.53; N, 4.27; Found (%): C, 69.84; H, 5.48; N, 4.03.

EXAMPLE 93

3-[4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolyl]propanol (5.21 g) and triethylamine (4 ml) were dissolved in dichloromethane (50 ml), to which methanesufonyl chloride (2.2 ml) was dropwise added under ice-cooling and stirred for 2 hours at the same temperature. The reaction mixture was poured into water and then extracted with dichloromethane. The dichloromethane layer was washed with water, dried over MgSO₄ and distilled to remove the solvent. The oily residue was dissolved in acetone (100 ml), to which sodium iodide (6.6 g) was added and refluxed for 2 hours. The solvent was distilled off. The residue was poured into water and extracted with ether. The ether layer was washed with an aqueous Na₂ SO₃ solution and then water, and dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was distilled off to obtain 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(3-iodopropyl)oxazole (6.6 g, 87%). Recrystallization from ether-hexane gave colorless prisms of mp 49°-50° C.

Elemental analysis for C₁₂ H₁₁ NOClI Calc. (%): C, 41.47; H, 3.19; N, 4.03; Found (%): C, 41.46; H, 3.06; N, 4.03.

EXAMPLE 94

A mixture of 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(3-iodopropyl)oxazole (0.5 g), guaiacol (0.19 ml), potassium carbonate (0.24 g) and N,N-dimethylformamide (5 ml) was stirred for 30 minutes at 60° to 65° C. and poured into water. The precipitated crystals were collected by filtration to obtain 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-[3-(2-methoxyphenoxy) propyl]oxazole (0.445 g, 90%). Recrystallization from ether-hexane gave colorless prisms of mp 94°-95° C.

Elemental analysis for C₁₉ H₁₈ NO₃ Cl Calc. (%): C, 66.38; H, 5.28; N, 4.07; Found (%): C, 66.01; H, 5.20; N, 3.96.

EXAMPLES 95-99

By the method of Example 94, the compounds listed in Table 11 were obtained.

EXAMPLES 100-102

Examples 100-101 and 102 listed in Table 12 were obtained by the method of Example 81 and Example 86, respectively.

    ______________________________________                                         Preparation Example 1                                                          Tablet                                                                         Components of a tablet                                                         ______________________________________                                         (1) Compound (as obtained by Example 89)                                                                 50     mg                                            (2) Cornstarch            30     mg                                            (3) Lactose               113.4  mg                                            (4) Hydroxypropyl cellulose                                                                              6      mg                                            (5) Water                 (0.03  ml)                                           (6) Magnesium stearate    0.6    mg                                            Total                     200    mg                                            ______________________________________                                    

The components (1), (2), (3) and (4) were mixed. After adding water, the mixture was kneaded, dried under vacuum for 16 hours at 40° C. and grounded in a mortar. The resultant was sieved through a 16-mesh sieve to obtain granules. The component (6) was added to the granules and mixed. The resulting mixture was made to tablets of 200 mg per tablet, using a rotary-type tablet machine (Kikusui Seisakusho in Japan).

    ______________________________________                                         Preparation Example 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         (1) Compound (as obtained by Example 81)                                                                 50     mg                                            (2) Cornstarch            30     mg                                            (3) Lactose               113.4  mg                                            (4) Hydroxypropyl cellulose                                                                              6      mg                                            (5) Water                 (0.03  ml)                                           (6) Magnesium stearate    0.6    mg                                            (7) Cellulose acetate phthalate                                                                          10     mg                                            (8) Acetone               (0.2   ml)                                           Total                     210    mg                                            ______________________________________                                    

From the components (1) , (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6), tablets were prepared by the same method as in Preparation Example 1. These tablets were film-coated by use of a solution of the component (7) in acetone in a half coater (Freunt Co., Ltd) to give enteric tablets of 210 mg per tablet.

    ______________________________________                                         Preparation Example 3                                                          Components of a capsule                                                        ______________________________________                                         (1) Compound C (as obtained by Example 64)                                                               30     mg                                            (2) Cornstarch            40     mg                                            (3) Lactose               74     mg                                            (4) Hydroxypropyl cellulose                                                                              6      mg                                            (5) Water                 0.02   mg                                            Total                     150    mg                                            ______________________________________                                    

The components (1), (2), (3) and (4) were mixed, to which water was added. The mixture was kneaded, dried under vacuum for 16 hours at 40° C. and ground in a mortar. The resultant was sieved through a 16-mesh sieve to obtain granules. The granules were packed in No. 3 gelatin capsules with a capsule packing machine Zanasi Italy) to obtain capsules.

    ______________________________________                                         Preparation Example 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         (1) Compound (as obtained in Example 35)                                                                 5      mg                                            (2) Sodium salicylate     50     mg                                            (3) Sodium chloride       180    mg                                            (4) Sodium metabisulfite  20     mg                                            (5) Methylparaben         36     mg                                            (6) Propylparaben         4      mg                                            (7) Distilled water for injection                                                                        (2     ml)                                           Total                     295    mg                                            ______________________________________                                    

The components (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) were dissolved in about one half of the above mentioned volume of distilled water under stirring at 80° C. The solution thus obtained was cooled to 40° C., and the compound of the present invention was dissolved therein. The remaining distilled water was added to the solution so that a final volume can be obtained. The resultant was sterilized through an appropriate filter paper, to obtain the injection.

From the results shown by the above Test Examples, the compounds (I) or (I') of the present invention have bone-reduction inhibitory action and bone-increase action in mammals (for example, mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, cat, bovine, swine, human, etc.) and in addition have low toxicity.

Accordingly, the compounds (I) and (I') of the present invention or salts thereof can be used for a therapeutic agent remedy for osteoporosis.

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR15##                                                                                                   Solvent for                                      No. of              Yield     recrystal-                                       Examples                                                                             R, R'  R.sup.6                                                                            n  (%)  MP (°C.)                                                                     lization                                         __________________________________________________________________________     2     H, H   C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    2  60   Oil.sup.note 1)                                                                     --                                               3     3-Cl, 4-Cl                                                                            C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    2  59   65-66                                                                               Ether-hexane                                     4     3-F, 4-F                                                                              C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    2  67   Oil.sup.note 2)                                                                     --                                               5     4-CN, H                                                                               C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    2  53   66-67                                                                               Ether-hexane                                     6     4-CF.sub.3, H                                                                         C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    2  64   63-63                                                                               Ether-hexane                                     7     4-NO.sub.2, H                                                                         C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    2  60   97-98                                                                               Acetone-hexane                                   8     4-OCHF.sub.2, H                                                                       C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    2  59   60-61                                                                               Ether-hexane                                     9     4-OCF.sub.3, H                                                                        C.sub. 2 H.sub.5                                                                   2  62   36-37                                                                               Hexane                                           10    4-CH.sub.3, H                                                                         C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    2  63   Oil.sup.note 3)                                                                     --                                               11    3-NO.sub.2, H                                                                         C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    2  56   76-77                                                                               Ether-hexane                                     12    2-Cl, 4-Cl                                                                            C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    2  70   Oil.sup.note 4)                                                                     --                                               13    4-C.sub.2 H.sub.5, H                                                                  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    2  58   Oil.sup.note 5)                                                                     --                                               14    3-CF.sub.3, H                                                                         C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    2  36   60-61                                                                               Ether-hexane                                     15    2-CF.sub.3, H                                                                         C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    2  34   Oil.sup.note 6)                                                                     --                                               16    3-NO.sub.2, 4-Cl                                                                      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    2  72   65-66                                                                               Ether-hexane                                     17    2-Cl, 4-NO.sub.2                                                                      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                    2  48   71-72                                                                               Ether-hexane                                     18    H, 4-Cl                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                           3  65   70-71                                                                               Ether-hexane                                     __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.note 1) NMR(δ ppm in CDCl.sub.3): 1.25(3H, t,                       J7.5Hz)2.7-3.3(4H, m), 4.17(2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 7.2-7.55(3H, m), 7.6-7.8(2H,      m), 7.81(1H, s).                                                               .sup.note 2) NMR(δ ppm in CDCl.sub.3): 1.25(3H, t,                       J7.5Hz)2.7˜3.3(4H, m), 4.17(2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 6.95˜7.3(3H, m),      7.77(1H, s).                                                                   .sup.note 3) NMR(δ ppm in CDCl.sub. 3): 1.24(3H, t, J7.5Hz)2.34(3H,      s), 2.7-3.3(4H, m), 4.16(2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 7.17(2H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.57(2H,       d, J=8.5Hz), 7.75(1H, s).                                                      .sup.note 4) NMR(δ ppm in CDCl.sub.3): 1.24(3H, t,                       J7.0Hz)2.7-3.3(4H, m), 4.15(2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 7.2-7.5(2H, m), 8.05(1H, d,       J=9.0Hz), 8.23(1H, s).                                                         .sup.note 5) NMR(δ ppm in CDCl.sub.3): 1.24(6H, t,                       J7.0Hz)2.5-3.3(6H, m), 4.15(2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 7.22(2H, d, J=9.0Hz),             7.62(2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.77(1H, s).                                             .sup.note 6) NMR(δ ppm in CDCl.sub.3): 1.26(3H, t,                       J7.0Hz)2.7-3.3(4H, m), 4.18(2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 7.3-8.1(5H, m).             

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR16##                                                                                                        Solvent for                                 No. of                    Yield    recrystal-                                  Examples                                                                            R, R'        R.sup.1                                                                           R.sup.6                                                                           n (%) MP (°C.)                                                                     lization                                    __________________________________________________________________________     20   H, 4-Cl      CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                          3 67  52-53                                                                               Ether-hexane                                21   H, 4-Cl      CH.sub.3                                                                          CH.sub.3                                                                          4 65  49-50                                                                               Ether-hexane                                22   H, 4-Cl      CH.sub.3                                                                          C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                   6 63  Oil.sup.note 1)                                                                     --                                          23   H, 4-Br      CH.sub.3                                                                          C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                   2 67  Oil.sup.note 2)                                                                     --                                          24   H, 4-F       CH.sub.3                                                                          C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                   2 64  Oil.sup.note 3)                                                                     --                                          25   H, 3-Cl      CH.sub.3                                                                          C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                   2 50  44-45                                                                               Hexane                                      26                                                                                   ##STR17##   CH.sub.3                                                                          C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                   2 67    59-59.5                                                                           Ether-hexane                                27   H, 4-CF.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                          C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                   2 60  Oil.sup.note 4)                                                                     --                                          28   H, 4-CF.sub.3 O                                                                             CH.sub.3                                                                          C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                   2 93  Oil.sup.note 5)                                                                     --                                          __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.note 1) NMR(δ ppm in CDCl.sub.3): 1.23(3H, t, J=7.0Hz),             1.1-2.0(8H, m), 2.28(3H, t, J=7.0Hz), 2.46(3H, s), 2.73(2H, t, J=7.0Hz),       4.12(2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 7.34(2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.56(H, d, J=9.0Hz).               .sup.note 2) NMR(δ ppm in CDCl.sub.3): 1.25(3H, t, J=7.0Hz),             2.47(3H, m), 2.65-3.25(4H, m), 4.16(2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 7.52(4H, s).              .sup.note 3) NMR(δ ppm in CDCl.sub.3): 1.25(3H, t, J=7.0Hz),             2.47(3H, s), 2.65-3.2(4H, m), 4.17(2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 6.95-7.3(2H, m),           7.5-7.75(2H, m).                                                               .sup.note 4) NMR(δ ppm in CDCl.sub.3): 1.25(3H, t, J=7.0Hz),             2.53(3H, s), 2.7-3.3(4H, m), 4.17(2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 7.55-7.85(4H, m).           .sup.note 5) NMR(δ ppm in CDCl.sub.3): 1.25(3H, t, J=7.0Hz),             2.48(3H, s), 2.65-3.2(4H, m), 4.17(2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 7.25(2H, d, J=9.0Hz),      7.66(2H, d, J=9.0Hz).                                                    

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR18##                                                                     No. of                                     Solvent for                         Exam-                         Yield        recrystal-                          ples  R, R'   R.sup.1                                                                               R.sup.6                                                                             n   (%)   MP (°C.)                                                                       lization                            ______________________________________                                         30    H, 4-Cl CH.sub.3                                                                              C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     0   72    89-90  Ethanol                             31    H, 4-Cl CH.sub.3                                                                              C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     2   69    Oil.sup.note 1)                                                                       --                                  32    H, 4-Cl C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                       C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                     2   74    Oil.sup.note 2)                                                                       --                                  ______________________________________                                          .sup.note 1) NMR(δ ppm in CDCl.sub.3): 1.25(3H, t, J=7.5Hz),             2.46(3H, s), 2.7-3.2(4H, m), 4.16(2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 7.33(2H, d, J=9.0Hz),       7.55(2H, d, J=9.0Hz).                                                          .sup.note 2) NMR(δ ppm in CDCl.sub. 3): 1.25(4H, t, J=7.5Hz),            1.27(3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.6-3.2(6H, m), 4.17(2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 7.35(2H, d,        J=8.5Hz), 7.54(2H, d, J=8.5Hz).                                          

                                      TABLE 6                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR19##                                                                                                      Solvent for                                   No. of                 Yield     recrystal-                                    Examples                                                                            R, R'        R.sup.1                                                                           n (%) MP (°C.)                                                                      lization                                      __________________________________________________________________________     34   H, H         H  2 67  119-120                                                                              Ether-hexane                                  35   4-Cl, H      H  2 92  137-138                                                                              Acetone-hexane                                36   3-Cl, 4-Cl   H  2 83  126-127                                                                              Acetone-hexane                                37   3-F, 4-F     H  2 94  119-120                                                                              Ether-hexane                                  38   4-CN, H      H  2 82  167-168                                                                              Acetone-hexane                                39   4-NO.sub.2, H                                                                               H  2 87  180-181                                                                              Acetone-hexane                                40   4-CF.sub.3, H                                                                               H  2 78  151-152                                                                              Acetone-hexane                                41   4-OCHF.sub.2, H                                                                             H  2 73  108-109                                                                              Ether-hexane                                  42   4-OCF.sub.3, H                                                                              H  2 78  118-119                                                                              Ether-hexane                                  43   4-CH.sub.3, H                                                                               H  2 79  128-129                                                                              Acetone-hexane                                44   3-NO.sub.2, H                                                                               H  2 89  152-153                                                                              Acetone-hexane                                45   2-Cl, 4-Cl   H  2 85  137-138                                                                              Acetone-hexane                                46   4-C.sub.2 H.sub.5, H                                                                        H  2 80  123-124                                                                              Ether-hexane                                  47   3-CF.sub.3, H                                                                               H  2 93  93-94 Ether-hexane                                  48   2-CF.sub.3, H                                                                               H  2 91  55-56 Ether-hexane                                  49   3-NO.sub.2, 4-Cl                                                                            H  2 85  186-187                                                                              Acetone-hexane                                50   2-Cl, 4-NO.sub.2                                                                            H  2 92  156-157                                                                              Acetone-hexane                                51   H, 4-Cl      CH.sub.3                                                                          0 89  102-103                                                                              Ethanol-water                                 52   H, 4-Cl      CH.sub.3                                                                          2 93  133-134                                                                              Ether-hexane                                  53   H, 4-Cl      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                   2 91  175-176                                                                              Acetone-hexane                                54   H, 4-Cl      H  3 85  107-108                                                                              Acetone-hexane                                55   H, 4-Cl      CH.sub.3                                                                          3 88  101-102                                                                              Ether-hexane                                  56   H, 4-Cl      CH.sub.3                                                                          6 90  88-89 Ether-hexane                                  57   H, 4-Br      CH.sub.3                                                                          2 91  166-167                                                                              Ethanol-ether                                 58   H, 4-F       CH.sub.3                                                                          2 85    113-113.5                                                                          Ether-hexane                                  59   H, 3-Cl      CH.sub.3                                                                          2 57  92-93 Acetone-hexane                                60                                                                                   ##STR20##   CH.sub.3                                                                          2 88  141-142                                                                              Ethanol                                       61   H, 4-CF.sub.3                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                          2 88  129-130                                                                              Acetone-hexane                                62   H, 4-CF.sub.3 O                                                                             CH.sub.3                                                                          2 82  72-73 Ethanol-hexane                                __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 7                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR21##                                                                                                     Solvent for                                    No. of                 Yield    recrystal-                                     Examples                                                                            R, R'                                                                              R.sup.3       (%) MP (°C.)                                                                     lization                                       __________________________________________________________________________     65   H, 4-Cl                                                                             ##STR22##    92  69-70                                                                               Ether-hexane                                   66   H, 4-Cl                                                                             ##STR23##    89  62-63                                                                               Ether-hexane                                   67   H, 4-Cl                                                                             ##STR24##    90  37-38                                                                               Ether-hexane                                   68   H, 4-Cl                                                                             ##STR25##    85  160-161                                                                             Dichloro- methane- ethanol                     69   H, 4-Cl                                                                             ##STR26##    89  77-78                                                                               Ether-hexane                                   70   H, 4-Cl                                                                             ##STR27##    76  52-53                                                                               Ether-hexane                                   71   H, 4-Cl                                                                             ##STR28##    73  47-48                                                                               Ether-hexane                                   72   H, 4-Cl                                                                             ##STR29##    99  69-70                                                                               Ether-hexane                                   __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 8                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR30##                                                                                                          Solvent for                               No. of                      Yield    recrystal-                                Examples                                                                            R, R'                                                                              R.sup.3            (%) MP (°C.)                                                                     lization                                  __________________________________________________________________________     74   H, 4-Cl                                                                             ##STR31##         54  38-39                                                                               Hexane                                    75   H, 4-Cl                                                                             ##STR32##         73  Oil.sup.note 1)                                                                     --                                        76   H, 4-Cl                                                                             ##STR33##         61  72-72                                                                               Dichloromethane- hexane                   __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.note 1) NMR(δ ppm in CDCl.sub.3): 1.59(3H, s), 1.68(6H, s),         1.95-2.2(4H, m), 2.7-3.3(4H, m), 4.64(2H, d, J=7Hz), 5.08(1H, bs),             5.34(1H, bt, J=7Hz), 7.34(2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.64(2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.80(1H, s).

                  TABLE 9                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR34##                                                                     No. of                            Solvent for                                  Examples                                                                              R, R'     Yield (%) MP (°C.)                                                                       recrystallization                            ______________________________________                                         82     H, 4-CH.sub.3                                                                            73        41-42  Ether-hexane                                 83     H, 4-CF.sub.3                                                                            82          61-61.5                                                                             Ether-hexane                                 84     H, 4-NO.sub.2                                                                            38        86-87  Dichloromethane-                                                               hexane                                       85     H, 4-OCF.sub.3                                                                           78        77-78  Ether-hexane                                 ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 10                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR35##                                                                     No. of            Yield           Solvent for                                  Examples                                                                              R, R'      (%)      MP (°C.)                                                                       recrystallization                            ______________________________________                                         87     H, 4-OCHF.sub.2                                                                           98       56-57  Ether-hexane                                 88     H, 4-CN    65       101-102                                                                               Dichloromethane-                                                               hexane                                       ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE 11                                     __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR36##                                                                                                    Solvent for                                     No. of               Yield     recrystal-                                      Examples                                                                             R, R'                                                                              R.sup.2    (%)  MP (°C.)                                                                     lization                                        __________________________________________________________________________     95    H, 4-Cl                                                                             ##STR37## 78    99-100                                                                             Ether-hexane                                    96    H, 4-Cl                                                                             ##STR38## 71   56-57                                                                               Ether-hexane                                    97    H, 4-Cl                                                                             ##STR39## 61   66-67                                                                               Ether-hexane                                    98    H, 4-Cl                                                                             ##STR40## 82   79-80                                                                               Ether-hexane                                    99    H, 4-Cl                                                                             ##STR41## 85   Oil.sup.note 1)                                                                     --                                              __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.note 1) NMR(δ ppm in CDCl.sub.3): 2.15-2.5(2H, m), 3.08(2H, t,      J=7.5Hz), 3.87(3H, s), 4.17(2H, t, J6.0Hz), 6.85-7.1(2H, m), 7.2-7.9(7H,       m).                                                                      

                  TABLE 12                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR42##                                                                     No. of                       Yield                                             Examples  R, R'    R.sup.1   (%)   State                                       ______________________________________                                         100       H, 4-Cl  CH.sub.3  77    Oil.sup.note 1)                             101       H, 4-Cl  C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                          69    Oil.sup.note 2)                             102       H, 4-Br  CH.sub.3  92    Oil.sup.note 3)                             ______________________________________                                          .sup.note 1) NMR(δ in CDCl.sub.3): 1.85-2.2(2H, m), 2.47(3H, s),         2.87(2H, t, J=6.5Hz), 3.03(1H, br s), 3.75(2H, t, J=6Hz), 7.33(2H, d,          J=9Hz), 7.54(2H, d, J=9Hz).                                                    .sup.note 2) NMR(δ in CDCl.sub.3): 1.30(3H, t, J=7.5Hz),                 2.0-2.15(2H, m), 2.27(1H, br s), 2.85(2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 2.92(2H, t, J=7Hz)      3.79(2H, t, J=6Hz), 7.36(2H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.53(2H, d, J=8.5Hz).                .sup.note 3) NMR(δ in CDCl.sub.3): 1.85-2.2(2H, m), 2.47(3H, s),         2.75-3.05(3H, m), 3.6-3.9(2H, m), 7.53(4H, br s).                         

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treating post-menopausal osteoporosis, which comprises administering to a human being suffering from post-menopausal osteoporosis a therapeutically effective amount of an oxazole compound having the formula (I'): ##STR43## in which A' is a group of the formula --CH₂ OR² wherein R² is a(1) hydrogen atom; (2) C₁₋₁₀ alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one to three of the same or different substituents selected from the group consisting of a halogen, hydroxy, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy, an amino optionally substituted by a C₁₋₆ alkyl or an acyl formed from a C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, phenyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, phenyl, naphthyl, anthryl or phenanthryl group and a carbonyl or sulfonyl group, and a carbamoyl optionally substituted by a C₁₋₆ alkyl; (3) phenyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one to three of the same or different substituents selected from the group consisting of a halogen, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy, a C₁₋₆ alkyl, a C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, and an amino optionally substituted by a C₁₋₆ alkyl or an acyl formed from a C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, phenyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, phenyl, napthyl, anthryl or phenanthryl group and a carbonyl or sulfonyl group; (4) C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl group; (5) a ring selected from the group consisting of phenyl, napthyl, anthryl, and phenanthryl which is unsubstituted or substituted by one to three of the same or different substituents selected from the group consisting of a halogen, a C₁₋₆ alkyl, a C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, hydroxy, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy, an acyl formed from a C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, phenyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, phenyl, napthyl, anthryl or phenanthryl group and a carbonyl or sulfonyl group, an amino optionally substituted by a C₁₋₆ alkyl or an acyl formed from a C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, phenyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, phenyl, napthyl, anthryl or phenanthryl group and a carbonyl or sulfonyl group, a carbamoyl optionally substituted by a C₁₋₆ alkyl, a C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl, or (6) an acyl group formed from a carbonyl or sulfonyl and a C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, phenyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, phenyl, napthyl, anthryl or phenanthryl; B is a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one to four of the same or different substituents selected from the group consisting of a halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁₋₁₀ alkoxy group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one to three of the same or different substituents, and C₁₋₁₀ alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one to three of the same or different substituents, wherein the substituents on the substituted alkyl or alkoxy groups are selected from the group consisting of a halogen, hydroxy, and a C₁₋₆ alkoxy; R₁ is (1) a hydrogen atom or (2) a C₁₋₁₀ alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one to three of the same or different substituents selected from the group consisting of a halogen, hydroxy, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy; and n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.
 2. A method of treating post-menopausal osteoporosis, which comprises administering to a human being suffering from post-menopausal osteoporosis a therapeutically effective amount of an oxazole compound having the formula (I'): ##STR44## in which A' is a group of the formula --CH₂ OR² wherein R² is(1) a hydrogen atom; (2) a C₁₋₁₀ alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by the same or different, one to three substituents selected from the group consisting of a halogen, hydroxy, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy, an amino optionally substituted by a C₁₋₆ alkyl or a C₁₋₁₀ acyl formed from a C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, phenyl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl group, phenyl, naphthyl, anthryl or phenanthryl group and a carboxyl or sulfonyl group, a carbamoyl optionally substituted by a C₁₋₆ alkyl B is a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one to four of the same or different substituents selected from the group consisting of a halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁₋₁₀ alkoxy group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one to three of the same or different substituents, and C₁₋₁₀ alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one to three of the same or different substituents, wherein the substituents on the substituted alkyl or alkoxy groups are selected from the group consisting of a halogen, hydroxy, and a C₁₋₆ alkoxy; R₁ is (1) a hydrogen atom or (2) a C₁₋₁₀ alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by one to three of the same or different substituents selected from the group consisting of a halogen, hydroxy, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy; and n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.
 3. A method of claim 1 in which R¹ is(a) a hydrogen atom or (b) a C₁₋₄ alkyl group unsubstituted of substituted by one to three substituents wherein the substituent is as defined in (2) with respect to R¹ of claim 2, and n is 2 to 4, provided that when n is 2, R¹ is (b).
 4. A method of claim 1 wherein the compound is 3-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-oxazolyl]propanol,3-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-ethyl-2-oxazolyl]propanol or 3-[4-(4-bromophenyl)-5-methyl-2-oxazolyl]propanol. 